MISD

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Thanks, Mrs. Williams!

January is School Board Recognition Month and Midlothian ISD always takes the opportunity to thank our community leaders who voluntarily serve countless hours in the best interest of the our entire learning community.

Great leadership begins with a willing heart, a positive attitude, and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others. We have seven individuals who exemplify these (and many other) leadership qualities in MISD:  Wayne Shuffield (president), Cindy Williams (vice-president), Todd Hemphill (secretary), Duke Burge, Keith Hitt, Jim Mentzel, and Matt Sanders.  Learn more about each board member here.

In appreciation for her work in MISD, our campus cw1adopted Cindy Williams for the month of January to celebrate her 15-year commitment and overwhelming contributions to our growing district.  Mrs. Williams participated in a special Friday Miller Rally (led by our Student Honor Council) where grade levels presented tokens of appreciation and notes, the staff prepared a homemade breakfast buffet to cw2share, StuCo led her on an engaging campus tour (as seen through the eyes of our learners), and rounded out her visit with hugs and congratulations for a job well done.  Her message to us today sums it up best:  “Never stop learning because life never stops teaching!”  Thanks, Mrs. Williams, and all our extraordinary MISD Trustees, for believing in the power of learning through your commitment, words, decisions, and community service in action!

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Grinchy ways…

Grinch DayHe’s a mean one, that Mr. Grinch!  Our first grade team studied the clever writings of Dr. Suess by celebrating GRINCH Day in their classrooms.  From Cindy-Lou-Who to Mr. Grinch himself, students and staff read, wrote, computed, and 1st grade Grinchesdiscovered the imaginary world of the extraordinary Dr. Suess and his The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

In the meantime, our Monty Moose was busy in the library media center redecorating and reading his favorite Moose literature IMG_0191including the book MOOSETACHE by Margie Palatini.  He shared his other favorite books and some cute moosetaches with some fun library patrons for a great day of reading fun and Christmas learning.

We also enJOYed the creative decorations of several busof our MISD “big yellows.”  You won’t find Grinches on these buses!  It’s great to have the BEST drivers in the state right here in MISD and at LME!  Thanks to each dedicated driver for sharing the JOY of the holiday season safely on the roads with our learners.

If you’re feeling grinchy, then it’s time for you to find some holiday JOY through the eyes of child today!  🙂

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Field of Readers on November 12th!

t-fieldofreaders3.jpgMidlothian families are encouraged to bring books and blankets on the field at the MISD Multi-Purpose Stadium on Tuesday, November 12 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.  The annual MISD Field of Readers Event includes activities on the field, stories on the 50-yardline, face painting, Jumbotron messages, book walks, and a Scholastic Book Fair.  Read more [PDF]

Special thanks to our MISD Library Media Services Department for their vision and execution of this annual fun family outing!  Here’s hoping we see you on the field!  🙂

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We got this!

IMG_3286Double, double, toil and trouble…it was not one, but two pairs of princiPALs on the scene today at LME!  It’s a great thing too because Party Day always brings interesting situations to address.  🙂

First grade teachers Katie Bergvall and Stephanie Daniell IMG_3281(both MISD alums) accepted the challenge of being Mrs. Van and Mrs. Bass (in costume at least) for the day.  Ms. Daniell found Mrs. Bass’ bullhorn to use (hhmmm…no one usually gets to use the bullhorn but Mrs. Bass), and Ms. Bergvall talked on the walkies (remarkably, just like me).  🙂

Thanks to our wonderfully supportive parents and entire learning community for coming out to celebrate a fun school day with us.  As our twins noted today, “We got this; y’all be safe out there tonight!”

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What’s your mindset?

Our MISD Leadership Team just completed a two-day informative retreat.  Along with other homework, we read and discussed the book, Mindset, by Carol Dweck.  According to her website, Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., is one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of motivation and is the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University.  Her research has focused on why people succeed and how to best foster success.  She has held professorships at Columbia and Harvard Universities, has lectured all over the world, and has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.  Obviously, she is an expert in the study of success.

In the book, Dr. Dweck explains through her studies two types of mindsets—a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.  Before reading the book for the first time nearly a year ago (when challenged by my pastor), I took the professor’s online test.  Have you ever tested your mindset?

In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits.  They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talents instead of developing them even more.  They also believe that talent alone creates success—without effort.  Dr. Dweck provides some very interesting articles on her theory of fixed mindsets when dealing with our children, using specific examples along the way to illustrate her points.

In a growth mindset, people believe their most basic abilities can always be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point.  This view creates a love of lifelong learning and a resilience essential for great accomplishment.  The strongest message here is “failure is a part of growing; we must sometimes fail in order to move forward in necessary growth.”

On both theories, there are powerful messages for parents, businesses, and especially schools.  Mindsets CAN be changed in what Dr. Dweck refers to as four simple steps.  After studying this book at length and enJOYing some intense conversation these past two days, I most definitely appreciate why our mindsets as learners, educators, and parents can affect overall success for everyone!  You are strongly encouraged to pick up a copy (or borrow mine) and read it.  As we get geared up for another school year, here’s a personal challenge for you to study your mindset (and that of your child) today!  🙂

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MISD Showcase…Hollywood Style!

The big day is here and our learners are ready to dazzle you with their brilliance again this year!  It’s time for the annual Midlothian ISD Educational Showcase where learners present lessons and work from PK – 12 grades, all subjects and disciplines.  View the information here (studentflyer12).  We hope you will join us for an evening of engaging and meaningful MISD showcase opportunities…Hollywood Style!

Note: There is no school on Tuesday, May 22; we’ll see you back on Wed; May 23!